“The RAF was heavily outnumbered in fighter aircraft and pilots. But hundreds of Canadian air and ground crew went over and fought in the battle, most as members of the RAF.

“Canada was emerging from the economic chaos of the Great Depression and had only a small domestic air force. But an ever-increasing number of Canadians seeking adventure, or just a steady aviation job, turned to the RAF.”

The threatened Nazi invasion must have looked as grim to people then as any nation today facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

British troops had been evacuated from Dunkirk as Germany’s powerful armed forces had swept through Western Europe. Britain was suddenly alone. But Sir Winston Churchill, just appointed to lead a wartime coalition government, rallied the public by describing their island as “the last bastion against the menace of tyranny.”

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

The Battle for France was over and the Battle of Britain was about to begin, said Churchill.

“Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for 1,000 years, men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour.’”

But Hitler initially made no plans to attack Britain, believing the British would agree to a compromise on favourable terms on recognizing the “hopeless situation.” On realizing he was wrong, Hitler ordered plans for Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain. But German generals feared high casualty numbers while crossing the English Chanel, from the RAF and the formidable British Royal Navy.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

It was Hermann Goering, commander of Germany’s air force (Luftwaffe), who confidently predicted his aircraft could handle all eventualities and drive the RAF from the skies.

Air superiority was essential and the Luftwaffe focused on attacking RAF fighter bases and radar stations where an invasion might land. Shipping and coastal ports were also bombed.

Opposing them was a new generation of formidable British single-wing fighters, the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire. They were linked together by a unique command and control system under the authority of Fighter Command.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

British fighter pilots scramble to their aircraft during the 1940 Battle of Britain.Archives/British Imperial War Museum

Supplying enough pilots was a problem, but aggressive recruiting at home, in Commonwealth countries and elsewhere brought new recruits at a steady pace. Joining pilots fighting with a vengeance for their own country were fliers from Canada, Poland, New Zealand, Czechoslovakia, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, France and Southern Rhodesia along with individuals from the United States, Jamaica and Barbados.

“They found themselves fighting with the unexpected advantage of superior radar,” says Bart West, former honorary colonel of the 408 Helicopter Squadron and current treasurer of the aviation museum on Kingsway. “Their radar was the best in the world. Germans pilots were surprised British fighter aircraft were always waiting for them.”

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

German bombers, such as the Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88, did not have the capacity to carry bombs packing formidable force and were also vulnerable to British fighters in daylight. The once-formidable Junkers 87 “Stuka” dive-bombers were also easy targets. Meanwhile, the Luftwaffe’s best fighter, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, operated at its flying range limit and could only offer brief coverage for bombers.

More intensive raids were mounted by the Luftwaffe in August, believing the RAF was near defeat. But ground crews were praised for refuelling and rearming fighters and allowing pilots to take on attackers two or three times each day. Some 100 Canadian pilots and hundreds of ground crew were among the estimated 1,800 who became known as CAN/RAF.

Advertisement

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content continued

It is estimated the British lost more than 1,000 aircraft in the battle, compared with German losses of 1,900. The Battle of Britain Memorial in London lists the names of 2,937 airmen from 15 different countries who flew for Britain, some 544 of whom were killed. The Luftwaffe lost around 2,600 men, including those killed or captured among the bigger-crewed German bombers.

In September 1940, Germans bombers — some say by accident — dropped their loads on blacked-out London and the British retaliated by bombing Berlin. Hitler had feared this might happen and had banned targeting cities.

“Hitler was infuriated by the Berlin raid,” said Loewen. “He ordered the Luftwaffe shift their attacks away from Fighter Command targets to London and other cities. London alone was attacked on 57 consecutive nights, but the change of targets allowed RAF Fighter Command pilots relief. Hitler later grew frustrated, abandoned his planned Sea Lion invasion and sent his forces to help on the Russian front.”

Churchill praised Battle of Britain pilots, saying: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Depending on developments with COVID-19, plans for a Sept. 13-18 Battle of Britain celebration in Edmonton include a fundraising dinner, a speaker presentation and a military parade.

Trending

Related Stories

This Week in Flyers

Article Comments

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

Notice for the Postmedia Network

This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.